University of Aberdeen, Natural Philosophy Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments

Museum

The Natural Philosophy Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments is one of the most diverse collections in any British University, covering some 250 years. The earliest material dates from the mid-18th century and the most recent from the 21st centruy. With over 3000 objects it encompasses a wide range from simple demonstration pieces to state-of-the-art research equipment, in areas of astronomy, surveying and navigation, statics and dynamics, hydraulics, electricity, electronics,computing, x-rays, and meteorology. The collection has been brought together by past professors including Patrick Copland, James Clerk Maxwell, Nobel Prize winning GP Thomson and RV Jones to name but a few.